06 November 1991

An Abrahamic Prayer

This prayer is for reading aloud by three voices, representing the three faith-communities who claim to be Children of Abraham — Jews, Christians, and Muslims. "S" indicates the the Shema, the prayer of Israel (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), "F" indicates al-Fatihah, the Opening chapter of the Qur'an, and "L" indicates the Lord's Prayer from the Gospel according to Matthew (6:9-13).

S:Hear, O God's People,
F: In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful,
L: Our Father, who art in Heaven,
S: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
F: Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds, the Compassionate, the Merciful, Ruler of the day of Judgment.
L: Hallowed be Thy name.
S: You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your resources.
F: Thee do we serve,
L: Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
S: Let these matters that I command you today be upon your heart.
F: Thee do we ask for help
L: Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
S: Teach these things thoroughly to your children, and speak of them while you walk, when you retire, and when you arise.
F: Guide us into the right path,
L: And lead us not into temptation,
F: Not into the path of those upon whom wrath is brought down, nor of those who go astray.
L: But deliver us from evil.
S: Bind these matters as a sign upon your arm, and let them be before your eyes. And write them upon the doorposts of your houses and upon your gates.
L: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever and ever.
All: Amen.

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